Josh Turek flips Iowa Senate seat, ending Republican control of both seats

Outside groups contributed more than $100 million to the race

The Associated Press called the Iowa U.S. Senate race for Josh Turek on Nov. 3, 2026, after the Democrat defeated Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. Turek, a state representative from Council Bluffs, flipped one of the country’s most competitive U.S. Senate seats and ended more than a decade of Republican control of both seats in Iowa. He will succeed retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who announced last fall that she would not seek a third term.

Before the general election, Turek was a relatively unknown state lawmaker who defeated former state Senate minority leader Zach Wahls in June to win the Democratic nomination.

Turek is also a two-time gold medalist who plays basketball in the Paralympics. He uses a wheelchair because of spina bifida, a condition he says is due to his father’s exposure to Agent Orange in the Vietnam War.

Turek called himself a “prairie populist” and campaigned hard on healthcare reform. He attacked Hinson for her support of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which NPR said reduces Medicaid spending nationwide by nearly $1 trillion. Turek also claimed that Hinson’s personal wealth had increased significantly during her time in Washington.

Turek and Hinson both emphasized their ability as bipartisan lawmakers to try to sway Iowa’s large number of uncommitted voters. As polling data began to indicate a close race, the candidates also increased their attacks against each other.

Iowa’s race became more competitive as President Trump’s approval ratings fell, NPR reported. Hinson seemed to walk a fine line with voters, while some Republicans running for office started distancing themselves from Trump. By summer, the race was considered a toss-up.

NPR also said Iowa’s large agricultural industry had been hit hard by Trump’s tariffs and increased diesel prices due to the war in Iran.

The race was one of the most expensive in the country. Federal spending data showed that Turek and Hinson together raised more than $30 million, while Open Secrets said outside groups contributed more than $100 million. Turek significantly outraised Hinson in the final quarter of the election.

NPR described Hinson, a former TV journalist, as a rising star in Iowa politics. She was initially considered the front-runner to replace Ernst and received President Trump’s endorsement shortly after announcing her candidacy. Iowa had voted for Trump three times, and Trump carried the state by a 13-point margin in 2024. Turek’s win now gives Democrats both Senate seats and sets him to take Ernst’s seat.